Popovich: Parker will sit out ‘for foreseeable future’

LOS ANGELES — Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is shutting down All-Star point guard Tony Parker “for the foreseeable future” so that he can be 100 percent healthy for the drive to the playoffs.

Parker has battled a variety of injuries — a shin contusion, groin strain and lower bask spasms — for more than a month and Popovich sent him back to San Antonio before the final stop on the first leg of the rodeo road trip last Wednesday in Boston.

Cory Joseph will start at point guard in Tuesday’s game against the Clippers.

Expressing concern that Parker’s continuous play over the past three years for the Spurs and the French national team has taken a toll on the six-time All-Star.

“Well, he doesn’t have a pulled hamstring, or anything (serious) but he’s got a lot of little things,” Popovich said. “Basically, a lot of basketball the last three years: All season long, all summer long. He played for the (French) national team and that’s not a week at a time. It’s the whole summer, so it’s caught up to him.”

Parker said he trusts Popovich’s judgment and will work with the team’s medical and athletic training staff to rehabilitate his minor ailments and remain in good condition.

“I’ll just make sure I stay very disciplined with all the treatment and I’m 100 percent with a lot of energy because when I’m at 50 percent I’m not really helping the team, Parker said.

The Spurs got some good news on the injury front: Guard Manu Ginobili will suit up for Tuesday’s game, though Popovich will limit his playing time. The two-time All-Star has not played since Jan. 28 because of a left hamstring strain.

Center Tiago Splitter and forward Kawhi Leonard participated in a morning practice on Tuesday but their availability against the Clippers will be game-time decisions.